Today’s quick review: The Punisher. After his family is killed as revenge for an undercover operation, ex-soldier and retired FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) launches a one-man war on Howard Saint (John Travolta), a Tampa-based crime magnate with deep pockets and a roster full of killers. Along the way, Frank befriends a trio of dysfunctional neighbors (Rebecca Romijn, Ben Foster, and John Pinette) who give his life renewed purpose.
The Punisher is an action movie based on the Marvel Comics superhero. Despite its comic book roots, The Punisher has little to do with the superhero genre. Instead, it is a fairly standard action movie in the traditional vein, with one highly-trained hero working his way through a criminal organization from bottom to top. Expect bloody kills, methodical acts of revenge, and plenty of firepower.
Though Thomas Jane’s Punisher is not quite the gritty, remorseless killing machine that the character has the potential to be, he fills out the role well in terms of muscle, resolve, and motivation. For his part, John Travolta hits a sweet spot as Howard Saint where he is given the freedom to be menacing without the overexposure that would make him ridiculous.
Watch The Punisher when you are in the mood for a plain but entertaining action movie with a very light dusting of comic book sensibilities. The Punisher is a good casual pick for action fans, satisfying to watch on a whim and easy to pass up without regret. For a stylish, creative, and well-polished take on a similar premise, check out John Wick.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid action with some missed potential.